Dear Patient Readers:

The recent letter to the Vigo Examiner entitled, "Supporting the Indianapolis Baptist Temple" is a subtle attack upon all independent, unregistered Churches in America. While employing the term "supporting" in its title, it certainly was not in support of any church, much less that Church known as Indianapolis Baptist Temple. The entire article was in grave error. No biblical facts were offered. It was a poorly written secular mind set, reflecting the typical misguided thinking so apparent in America.

The first error was in line one. The principle of "Separation of Church and State" has no such requirements to "be a creation of the state" as was foolish asserted. The writer of that piece confused the Church with a religious corporation. The Church is not a creation of the state, a religious corporation calling itself a church is. The Church is a creation of Christ. Jesus said, "I will build my Church." Christ's blood bought body of born again believers, indwelt by the Holy Spirit, who have obediently been baptized into that local assembly comprise the Church.

While a religious corporation feigning as a Church has as its master the state in which it exists, the Church purchased by the blood of Jesus has only Christ as its LORD.

In the second paragraph Mr. Harlold Jones demonstrates his total ignorance of the Indianapolis Baptist Temple situation. What he missed is that while a religious corporation posing as a Church would be deemed as "tax exempt" by its creator the state, thus receiving special privileges and benefits, a true blood bought Church is not taxable. Exemption implies that a tax is owed but is forgiven by the state. Whereas, non taxable means that such no tax is owed.

The Puritan John Brown (possibly a distant relative) certainly captured the essence and futility of a disagreement when her wrote, "There is no pouring Christian truth passively into the minds of men. If men will not listen, and reflect, and examine the meaning of statements, the validity of arguments, and the force of motives, the best possible teaching will not make them wiser or better." Taken from John Brown's book, Sayings And Discourses of Christ. Mr. Jones has confused a Church with the religious corporations. He apparently did not study the doctrine of the Church from the Holy Word of God.

The Indianapolis Baptist Temple case amounts to double taxing of Christians. It is a penalty placed upon believers for worshipping the LORD Jesus Christ. Individuals there, and all across the globe, assume their own tax liability. In this particular instance, these believers are now being penalized for congregating at the physical facility known as the Indianapolis Baptist Temple.

While businesses, religious or otherwise, may in fact be required to withhold taxes on their employees, Mr. Jones mistakenly thinks that a Church is to be a tax collector. Ministers of the gospel of the LORD Jesus Christ are neither employees, contractors, or subcontractors. They are servants of the most High, the LORD God. As servants their duties are executed as unto the LORD.

Regarding the turnout on Saturday. Mr. Jones would probably not lend his support to anything. His words serve only to discourage brave men and woman from attending that March 4, 2000 rally. Thank God for Noah and his family. Though few in number, they faithfully responded to God's call. Thank God for Joseph who was used of God to spare his people. Thank God for Moses, who marched into the presence of arrogant Pharaoh, who had persistently denied the LORD God. Thank God for Elijah that withstood the false prophets of baal. Thank God for Daniel being faithful even when state law prohibited prayer to be made. Thank God for Daniel's close friends, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah (generally known by their Babylonian names: Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. Each of these faithfully stood when others failed to do so. Thank God for John the Baptist who faithfully preached against the sin of the head of state, fearless. And thank God for Jesus faithfully going to the cross when all had forsaken HIM. Also, thank God for Stephen who stood faithfully on principle, when the religious crowd persecuted him for being a Christian. Thank God for a man named Antipas, said to be by our LORD Jesus, "My faithful martyr."

In once sense, it matters very little how many may or may not attend that rally. Will you, dear reader? What is of the utmost importance is whether a believer is faithful. Faithful to our LORD Jesus Christ, faithful to the Holy Scriptures, faithful to assist the brethren. When one member of the body of Christ, the Church, is injured, the whole body experiences the pain. Hence, our support shall be shown (There are many ways to express it. E.g., letters, cards, phone calls, articles, standing on that very day.) only if we truly understand the distinction between a Church and religious corporation. The state has no authority to tax a Church, because it belongs to Christ Jesus our LORD. Fearful men will refrain from ever coming to such a rally.

Be sure of this readers, Pastor John Stephen Brown of the Eternal Grace Baptist, LORD willing, shall be in attendance. For those people who may want to know, the Eternal Grace Baptist is a historical, particular, unregistered assembly gratefully embracing the victory of Christ in time as well as throughout all eternity.

May God be glorified in each of our lives!

Sincerely,

Pastor John Stephen Brown

Eternal Grace Baptist Church

of New Maysville, Indiana

Snail mail: 8965 N. Co. Rd. 675 E.

Bainbridge, Indiana

E-mail: preacher@link2000.net (lower case)

Rev. Pastor J. S. Brown, Pastor, B.R.E.

Phone: (765) 522-1308

Website: http://www.link2000.net/~preacher/

Pastor J. S. Brown